Job Description

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An exciting and unique opportunity has arisen for an experienced senior research nurse to join the research delivery team at Barts Health NHS Trust.
We are seeking a dynamic individual to take on the role of Head of Research Nursing, based within the Clinical Research Facility (CRF). The successful candidate will provide professional leadership across all phases of research and work closely with senior members of the research delivery workforce across the Trust to ensure the delivery of high-quality, GCP-compliant research.
The post holder will have oversight of clinical operational issues relating to research delivery within the CRF and will lead and deliver on projects as appropriate. They will also work in partnership with the CRF Operations Director on a range of strategic initiatives to support the delivery of both the facility’s and the Trust’s ambitious clinical research and development strategy.
As part of the senior R&D management team, the post holder will provide professional leadership, mentoring, and development for clinical research nurses, clinical trial practitioners, and data managers. They will also provide direct leadership for our senior band 8a research nurses.

We welcome applications from suitably qualified internal candidates who meet this description. Please contact Jo Morgan on 07534 637 333 for further an informal discussion about the role.

Proposed Interview Date: 4th September 2025

Main duties of the job

Provides professional leadership and support to clinical research teams across Barts Health NHS Trust hospitals and services, including research nurses allied health professionals and midwives. This includes research delivery staff delivering studies taking place within our clinical research facilities, those aligned with our flagship funded infrastructure, including NIHR Barts Biomedical Research Centre (BRC), NIHR Barts Clinical Research Facility (CRF) and NIHR Barts Commercial Research Delivery Centre (CRDC), those in specialist roles (including advanced therapies, paediatrics) and those supporting the research education, training and development of our clinical workforce. Serves as the clinical lead for all research nurses, midwives, and research delivery staff within the Trust, overseeing all aspects of expert research practice, education, development, and leadership.

Provides line management for Lead Research Nurses across the Trust. Supports the delivery of the Trust Research and Innovation Strategy, as well as the strategies aligned specifically to the Clinical Research Facility, strategies at each hospital and other links across the research ecosystem locally, regionally and nationally, promoting the growth and broader recognition of clinical research within the organisation. Acts as a senior advocate for patients and their safety in clinical research.

Working for our organisation

Barts Health is one of the largest NHS trusts in the country, and one of Britain’s leading healthcare providers.

The Barts Health group of NHS hospitals is entering an exciting new era on our improvement journey to becoming an outstanding organisation with a world-class clinical reputation. Having lifted ourselves out of special measures, we now have the impetus and breathing space to chart a fresh course in which we are continually striving to improve all our services for patients.

Our vision is to be a high-performing group of NHS hospitals, renowned for excellence and innovation, and providing safe and compassionate care to our patients in east London and beyond. That means being a provider of excellent patient safety, known for delivering consistently high standards of harm-free care and always caring for patients in the right place at the right time. It also means being an outstanding place to work, in which our WeCare values and behaviours are visible to all and guide us in how we work together.

We strive to live by our WeCare values and are committed to promoting inclusion, where every staff member has a sense of belonging. We value our differences and fully advocate, cultivate and support an inclusive working environment.

We particularly welcome applications from Black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates as they are underrepresented within Barts Health at this band.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

We are dedicated to being an outstanding place to work and will work with you to get the best experience. We know flexible working is not a one size fits all and will mean something different to everyone. We are inclusive, so if you are interested in flexible working, please speak to the recruiting manager.

The full job description provides an overview of the key tasks and responsibilities of the role, and the person specification outlines the qualifications, skills, experience, and knowledge required. For both documents, please view the attachment/s below.

Person specification

Qualifications

• Registered Nurse /midwifery
• Evidence of recent continued professional development
• Teaching qualification

Experience

• Experience of commercial and academic research
• Extensive experience in clinical research within various NHS settings and specialties
• Experience of the clinical care of patients enrolled in commercial and non-commercial research
• Experience of developing, implementing, and following standard operating procedures
• Experience of managing numerous external funding streams for research staff.
• People management skills and experience
• Ability to plan, manage and deliver complex projects involving multiple agencies, individuals and a range of tasks
• Experience of managing change

Skills

• Ability to analyse and interpret research management information and to make judgements regarding highly complex research management issues.
• Excellent cross disciplinary /interagency communication skills and ability to facilitate collaborative working relationships
• Strong Leadership skills, ability to lead, motivate and negotiate
• Clinical skills to include venepuncture

Knowledge

• Extensive knowledge of the requirements of the Research Governance Framework for Health and Social Care and the Medicines for Human Use Clinical Trials Directive.UK Policy Framework for Health and Social Care Research
• Professional knowledge of clinical research supplemented by specialist training in research
• Comprehensive understanding of the research process
• Knowledge of the clinical trial life cycle including experience of the set up and performance management of clinical research studies.
• Knowledge of current national systems and structures for the approval, management and monitoring of clinical research studies.

Other

• Ability to organise and prioritise own workload, manage time effectively and deliver results consistently to tight deadlines
• Able to manage multiple projects at various stages of development and organisation
• Able to prepare and deliver presentations and reports to a high standard
• Ability to think strategically and make independent decisions.
• High level of analytical and critical thinking
• Ability to lead, manage, and motivate a team
• Ability to deal with difficult /sensitive situations
• Attention to detail and presentation of work willingness to learn, instigate and develop efficient working systems